neqsim-controllability-operability

name	neqsim-controllability-operability
version	1.0.0
description	Process controllability and operability — operating envelope mapping, turndown analysis, startup/shutdown sequencing, control valve sizing per ISA-75 (Fl, Fp, choked flow), rangeability, hunting/loop tuning, recycle stability. USE WHEN: a task involves operability assessment, turndown studies, control valve sizing, startup/shutdown procedures, or 'will this design operate?' questions. Complements neqsim-dynamic-simulation (transient solver) with steady-state operability framing.
last_verified	2026-04-26
requires	{"java_packages":["neqsim.process.equipment.valve","neqsim.process.controllerdevice"]}

NeqSim Controllability & Operability Skill

The "can this plant be operated?" half of process design — operating envelopes, turndown, startup/shutdown sequencing, control valve sizing, and steady-state operability checks. Pairs with neqsim-dynamic-simulation which solves the transient response.

When to Use

• Mapping operating envelope (P, T, flow, composition window where the plant runs)
• Turndown analysis (10–100% capacity)
• Control valve sizing per ISA-75 / IEC 60534
• Startup / shutdown sequence definition
• Recycle stability / loop interaction screening
• Identifying hidden constraints (compressor surge, tray weeping, HX pinch)
• Evaluating P&ID-derived valve changes such as closing an isolation valve, partly closing a control valve, opening a bypass, or changing controller mode

For P&ID-driven operational changes, load neqsim-pid-process-operations first to classify symbols, define the topology, bind plant tags, and turn each action into a NeqSim model delta.

For MCP or Java workflows that already have a ProcessSystem, use neqsim.process.operations.envelope.OperationalEnvelopeEvaluator or MCP runOperationalStudy with action="evaluateOperatingEnvelope". The evaluator does not duplicate equipment physics; it ranks margins from EquipmentCapacityStrategyRegistry, uses optional tagreader field data through OperationalTagMap, and can turn margin history into simple time-to-limit screening.

Standards: ISA-75.01 / IEC 60534-2-1, API 685 (control valves), NORSOK P-002 (operability).

Pattern 1 — Operating Envelope Map

Sweep two key handles (e.g. flow and composition) and check that every constraint is satisfied in the operating window:

double[] flows = linspace(0.1, 1.0, 10);   // 10–100% turndown
double[] gors  = linspace(50.0, 800.0, 8); // GOR variation

for (double f : flows) {
    for (double g : gors) {
        SystemInterface fluid = makeFluid(g);
        feed.setFlowRate(f * design_kgh, "kg/hr");
        process.run();
        envelope.recordPoint(f, g, checkConstraints(process));
    }
}

Constraints to check on every point:

Constraint	Check	Source
Compressor surge	Q_actual > Q_surge × 1.10	Vendor curve
Compressor stonewall	Q_actual < Q_choke × 0.95	Vendor curve
Separator vapor velocity	v < K × √((ρL−ρV)/ρV)	NORSOK P-100 (K=0.107)
Separator residence time	t_res ≥ 3 min liquid, ≥ 30 s gas	API 12J
HX ΔTmin	ΔT > 5 °C everywhere	Pinch design
Column flooding	C_factor < 0.85 × C_flood	Souders–Brown
Column weeping	C_factor > 0.55 × C_flood	Tray vendor
Pump NPSHa	NPSHa > NPSHr + 1 m margin	API 610
Control valve opening	20% < travel < 80%	ISA-75

Pattern 2 — Control Valve Sizing (ISA-75)

import neqsim.process.equipment.valve.ThrottlingValve;

ThrottlingValve cv = new ThrottlingValve("LV-1101", inletStream);
cv.setOutletPressure(P_downstream_bara);
cv.run();

double Cv_required = cv.getCv();          // ISA-75 sizing
double opening     = cv.getPercentValveOpening();
double dpRatio     = cv.getDeltaPressure() / cv.getInletPressure();
boolean choked     = dpRatio > cv.getFL() * cv.getFL() * (1 - cv.getFf() * cv.getXt());

Sizing rules:

• Pick valve such that normal flow is at 60–70% open
• Minimum flow must be at > 20% open (rangeability check)
• Maximum flow must be at < 90% open (margin)
• For choked flow: use Fl × ΔP_choke instead of actual ΔP

Rangeability:

Trim type	Rangeability
Linear	30:1
Equal percentage	50:1
Quick opening	10:1

If turndown ratio > rangeability, you need a split-range or two valves in parallel.

Pattern 3 — Recycle Stability

A process with strong recycles can have multiple steady states or be unstable:

ProcessSystem.RecycleConvergenceMonitor mon = process.getRecycleMonitor();
process.run();
double[] residual = mon.getMassResidualHistory();
// Plot residual vs iteration — should be monotone decreasing.
// If oscillating: recycle interactions; if diverging: bad initial guess or fundamental instability

Stabilization tactics:

• Increase damping factor on recycle stream (0.3–0.7)
• Set initial guess from previous-load solution (warm start)
• Decompose with ProcessModel so each area converges first
• Add an explicit pressure setpoint instead of free-floating P

Pattern 4 — Startup / Shutdown Sequence

Document each major mode as a state machine:

State	P / T / flow	Active controllers	Active SIFs
Cold shutdown	atmospheric, ambient	none	all in OOS
Pressurization	ramp to design × 0.3 in 30 min	PIC slow ramp	HIPPS armed
Cold circulation	full rate, ambient (recycle to flare)	LIC, FIC	all armed
Heat-up	ramp 50 °C/h to design T	TIC, LIC, FIC	all armed
Normal	design point	all loops in AUTO	all armed
Emergency BD	depressurize per API 521 in 15 min	controllers tripped	BDV open

Use neqsim-dynamic-simulation to validate the transient.

Pattern 5 — Loop Tuning Sanity

For each PID:

• Gain (Kp): 0.5 × Ziegler–Nichols ultimate; tighten only if oscillation
• Integral (Ti): 1–3 × dead time
• Derivative (Td): usually off; only for slow exotherms / temperature

Common bad loops:

• Level on a vessel with rapid throughput change → use averaging level (P-only, low gain)
• Composition (e.g. column reflux) → cascade onto temperature
• Surge control on compressor → fast PI + proportional kicker

Pattern 6 — Operability Scorecard for the Report

Operability Scorecard
=====================
Turndown        : 25–110% of design     PASS (target ≥ 25%)
Compressor      : surge margin 18% @ low end   PASS (≥ 10%)
Column          : flooding margin 22% @ high end  PASS (≥ 15%)
Recycle stab.   : converges in 8 iters @ all loads  PASS
Control valves  : 4 valves outside 20–80% range — RESIZE
Startup time    : 6.5 hr (cold→full)    PASS (target ≤ 8 hr)
SD time         : 12 min API 521 BD     PASS (target ≤ 15 min)

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Sizing CV with normal ΔP and forgetting choked flow	Always check σ = ΔP / Fl² × ΔP_max; if exceeded use choked formula
One CV across full 10–110% range	Rangeability > 30:1 needs split-range or two valves
Designing only at 100% flow	Min/max constraints often govern (surge, weeping, NPSH)
Ignoring recycle interactions until commissioning	Decompose with ProcessModel, verify convergence at each load
Aggressive Kp on level control	Causes throughput oscillation downstream; use P-only averaging
No startup BD path	Cold flare/atmospheric vent path required for trip-from-pressurized
Using "design rate" pump curve	Pumps often run at 60–80% Qbep at normal — pick BEP at normal

Validation Checklist

• Operating envelope plotted with turndown range and at least 2 disturbance axes
• All control valves: 20% < normal opening < 80%
• Compressor surge margin ≥ 10% at lowest expected flow
• All recycles: convergence in ≤ 20 iterations across the envelope
• Startup sequence documented as state machine with controller modes
• Emergency BD validated dynamically per API 521 (≤ 15 min to 50% MAWP)
• Operability scorecard included in the report (results.json → operability section)

Related Skills

• neqsim-dynamic-simulation — solve the transient
• neqsim-process-safety — link operability gaps to safety scenarios
• neqsim-relief-flare-network — startup/SD blowdown loads
• neqsim-platform-modeling — multi-area recycle decomposition